May 31st 2025, North Salinas High School Sophomore, 16yo Clara Adams competed in the California CIF(High School) State Finals, in Clovis, CA. 

Clara competed and won her 400M Final, with a time of 53.24. Beating the 2nd place finisher by more than a 1/4 second.

If the story ended there, Clara would have then competed for a 2nd State Championship of the day, in the 200M, 45 minutes later. 

But unfortunately it did not end there. 

After completing her race, Clara removed herself from her competitors and performed a celebration(solo), off the racing surface.

CIF Officials, within minutes, determined that Clara would be disqualified from the race that had already been completed. Clara's Camp immediately notified the CIF that they would be protesting this decision. 

Several minutes later, and only moments before reporting to the starting blocks, Clara was notified that she would be banned from participating in her 200M Final as well.

No written Notice of Disqualification, No explanation of specific rule or regulation violated and no Notice of Protest Denial were or have been provided to Clara, at the time of this posting. 

Clara's celebration had no impact on her race performance, and took place AFTER winning her Final on the Track. It was not directed at, nor included any words or actions that could be viewed as being directed at her fellow CIF Competitors, Officials or Coaches. 

This decision, made in hast and with no due process, has caused irreparable damage to the Student Athlete involved. A 16yo Sophomore whom CIF Officials are responsible thru required training to always "be teachers first" and to "responsibly consider the student, before athletic feat or accomplishment". 

As a proven future Olympic Prospect, this decision has not only damaged Clara's reputation, but has also potentially damaging her College recruiting path. 

In an era where heavily recruited High School Athletes are rewarded financially for their next level commitment(NIL), this decision has also potentially caused Clara a significant reduction in those financial rewards.

The CIF has unfortunately eliminated the opportunity for Clara to be made whole from this egregious decision, by eliminating her opportunity to participate and post a result in her 200M Final. A result that could have then been reviewed and rewarded after a review of their decision and Clara's appeal or litigation had been allowed to be finalized. For that, no remedy can be made.

The CIF cannot remedy their decision to take away Clara's rightfully earned moment of glory on the Winners Podium. A moment that she has worked tirelessly for since a preteen age. 

The CIF does have the opportunity to remedy their decision in removing Clara and her State Final winning performance in the 400M Championship from their record, by reinstating her winning time and rightful position as the 2025 CIF 400M Girls State Champion

We are humbly asking for your support in helping remedy the only portion of this decision that CAN be made right. Recognizing the true Champion and placing her winning time in the CIF History Books were it belongs. 

We are also asking for a formal apology to be released to Clara, from the CIF, that also acknowledges the opportunities and steps being taken to insure that no Student Athlete is ever placed in this horrible position again. 

As CIF Officials and Coaches, the Student Athletes physical and mental well being are the centerpiece of all required Certification, before any athletic accomplishment. We ask that the CIF be held to their own accountability standard in enforcing that centerpiece.